Of all the golfers competing in The Open this week, you would think Shane Lowry’s wounds are the deepest and freshest.
The Irishman frittered away a four-shot lead going into the final round of the US Open last month to finish in a tie for second, three behind winner Dustin Johnson.
Lowry admitted the near miss took its toll but he is convinced he is ready to challenge for the next major.
The world number 27 said: “The first few days – the Monday, Tuesday afterwards – was not easy. I was obviously quite disappointed and I’m not going to lie, there were a few moments where there might have been a tear shed or two. I suppose I was beating myself up for a few days after it.
“That’s just the way it is. That’s the game we play. I know I’ll be back there, I know I’ll give myself a chance again. It’s just up to me to kind of learn from the mistakes of that Sunday afternoon and bring that into the next one.
“For three-and-a-half rounds I was up there and leading in one of the biggest tournaments in the world.
“So it can give you a bit of confidence going forward into this week.
“If you look at it, after the US Open, I was a lot further along in my career than I was the week before, so there are a lot of positives to take from it. I’m well and truly over it.”
Lowry will play the first two rounds at Troon alongside Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose, teeing off at 9.03am today.
He said: “I have a really good group tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to that. I can’t wait. That’s where I want to be, playing with the best players in the world.”
